Class-based Rough Approximation with Dominance Principle

Dominance-based Rough Set Approach (DRSA), as the extension of Pawlak's Rough Set theory, is effective and fundamentally important in Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). In previous DRSA models, the definitions of the upper and lower approximations are preserving the class unions rather than the singleton class. In this paper, we propose a new Class-based Rough Approximation with respect to a series of previous DRSA models, including Classical DRSA model, VC-DRSA model and VP-DRSA model. In addition, the new class-based reducts are investigated.Comment: Submitted to IEEE-GrC201

Effects of Disease Type and Latency on the Value of Mortality Risk

We evaluate the effects of disease type and latency on willingness to pay (WTP) to reduce environmental risks of chronic, degenerative disease. Using contingent-valuation data collected from approximately 1,200 respondents in Taiwan, we find that WTP declines with latency between exposure to environmental contaminants and manifestation of any resulting disease, at a 1.5 percent annual rate for a 20 year latency period. WTP to reduce the risk of cancer is estimated to be about one-third larger than WTP to reduce risk of a similar chronic, degenerative disease. The value of risk reduction also depends on the affected organ, environmental pathway, or payment mechanism: estimated WTP to reduce the risk of lung disease due to industrial air pollution is twice as large as WTP to reduce the risk of liver disease due to contaminated drinking water.

Satellite observations of mesoscale features in lower Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait, Gulf of Alaska

The Seasat satellite launched in Summer 1978 carried a synthetic aperture radar (SAR). Although Seasat failed after 105 days in orbit, it provided observations that demonstrate the potential to examine and monitor upper oceanic processes. Seasat made five passes over lower Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait, Alaska, during Summer 1978. SAR images from the passes show oceanographic features, including a meander in a front, a pair of mesoscale eddies, and internal waves. These features are compared with contemporary and representative images from a satellite-borne Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS), with water property data, and with current observations from moored instruments. The results indicate that SAR data can be used to monitor mesoscale oceanographic features

Fossil-Fuel-Fired Power Plant

A power plant includes a boiler, a stream turbine generator, a post combustion processing system, a feed water regeneration processing system and a heat exchanger. Heat from the heat exchanger is used to regenerate (a) a reagent that absorbs carbon dioxide from flue gas and (b) a water-lean desiccant used to increase plant operating efficiency

Valuation of the Risk of SARS in Taiwan

Two surveys conducted in Taiwan during the spring 2003 SARS epidemic reveal a high degree of concern about the threat posed by SARS to Taiwan and to residents, although respondents believe they are knowledgeable about the risk of SARS and that it is susceptible to individual control. WTP to reduce the risk of infection and death from SARS is elicited using contingent valuation methods. Estimated WTP is high, implying values per statistical life of US$3 to 12 million. While consistent with estimates for high-income countries, these values are substantially larger than previous estimates for Taiwan and may be attributable to the high degree of concern about SARS at the time the data were collected.

Hypophysial transposition (hypophysopexy) for radiosurgical treatment of pituitary tumors involving the cavernous sinus

Journal ArticleStereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is performed with increasing frequency in the treatment of residual or recurrent pituitary adenomas. Its major associated risk in these cases of residual or recurrent pituitary tumor adjacent to normal functional pituitary gland is radiation exposure to the pituitary, which frequently leads to the development of hypopituitarism. The authors describe a technique of pituitary transposition to reduce the radiation dose to the normal pituitary gland in cases of planned radiosurgical treatment of residual pituitary adenoma within the cavernous sinus. A sellar exploration for tumor resection is performed, the pituitary gland is transposed from the region of the cavernous sinus, and a fat and fascia graft is interposed between the normal pituitary gland and the residual tumor in the cavernous sinus. The residual tumor may then be treated with SRS. The increased distance between the normal pituitary gland and the residual tumor facilitates treatment of the tumor with radiosurgery and reduces radiation exposure to the normal pituitary gland

Titanium cage-assisted polymethylmethacrylate reconstruction for cervical spinal metastasis

Journal ArticleReconstruction and stabilization of the cervical spine after vertebrectomy is an important goal in the surgical management of spinal metastasis. The authors describe their reconstruction technique using a titanium cage-Silastic tube construct injected with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) augmented by an anterior cervical plate. The surgical results using this technique are reviewed

Thrombosed Basilar Apex Aneurysm presenting as a third ventricular mass and hydrocephalus: case report and review of the literature

ManuscriptAneurysms presenting as third ventricular masses are uncommon; most are giant aneurysms arising from the basilar apex. We present a case of a thrombosed basilar apex aneurysm presenting as a third ventricular mass and hydrocephalus in a 55-year-old man. The case is unique in the literature as the aneurysm was completely thrombosed and angiographically occult. The lesion was explored to verify the diagnosis and a third ventriculostomy resolved the patient 19s symptoms. Completely thrombosed aneurysms should be considered in the differential diagnosis of symptomatic third ventricular masses, even when angiographic studies are negative. The literature on aneurysms presenting as third ventricular masses is reviewed